Special Exemption For First Home Buyers In Defence Forces

Recognising that ADF personnel often cannot live at home while they serve abroad or live on base, the Victorian Budget 2017/18 includes an exemption for our servicemen and women from the FHOG residence requirements.

Eligibility for the First Home Owner Grant normally requires applicants to live in their new home as their principal place of residence within a year of settlement, for a continuous period of at least 12 months. Defence Force members looking to buy their first home often struggle to meet the residency criteria for the grant, due to deployments to other states or overseas.

The exemption will allow our defence force personnel to apply for the FHOG without meeting this criteria. ADF personnel will still need to meet all other criteria to receive the $10,000 grant.

The new exemptions will apply to current members of the Australian Army, Air Force or Navy that are either on duty or leave, and who are enrolled to vote in Victorian elections.